Southern New England Tourism Effects

Tourism in Australia has evolved over the years and continues to increase to this day, however it is the effects that tourists have the ability to place on the Southern Great Barrier Reef which are potentially threatening for, not only the reef of lady Elliot Island, however, the corals surrounding it. “International visitations within Australia alone reached 3.9 million visitors within the first 7 months of 2014, which was an increase of approximately 9.5%, a number which continues to rise” (Tourism Australia, 2015). However, with this increasing number, comes possible damaging effects to the surrounding reefs of Lady Elliot Island, possibly leading to the excessive damage of corals due to activities and infrastructure requirements

Consisting of less than 1% of the world oceans, the coral reefs are ancient animals comprising of thin calcium carbonate deposits within the photic layer. Aside from its biologically diverse ecosystems, coral reefs are major source of food for millions and provides habitats and nursery areas for many marine organisms. Coral reefs also act as a physical buffer to protect the coastlines from tropical storms and erosion. In addition, many local communities rely on coral reefs to generate an income through activities such as fishing and diving. However, 75% of the coral reefs are under threat from induced impacts of humans and climate change (Burke, et al., 2011). This essay looks at the human impacts constantly being inflicted on coral reefs.

Coral reefs are greatly hurt by tourism. When tourism first began, people had little regard for the delicate balance in the reefs. They would often break off parts of the coral to keep as souvenirs, damaging the area and hurting both the corals and the fish or other animals that relied on it. While humans today are more aware of the damage they cause, regular visitations can still create great damage by snorkelers or divers accidentally hitting and damaging the reefs.

Located in tropical ocean waters, coral reefs provide priceless resources to both human and marine life. The leading natural cause of destruction among the coral reefs is global warming. Other natural causes are earthquakes, hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons. The destruction to the coral reefs from these natural disasters is minimal compared to the dangers caused by man. Man-made destruction has a much wider impact on the health of the coral reefs. This destruction includes over-fishing, damage from anchors, aquarium industry, overgrowth of seaweed, and being smothered by sediments.

Conservationists around the world are putting their best foot forward in an attempt to save the coral reefs. Coral reefs today are at a high risk of damage because of all the attention drawn to them by tourists. There are some islands that make all their money through tourism and exploiting the coral reefs, giving snorkel and scuba diving trips to guests that have traveled from around the world. Many people travel to these places with amazing under water worlds and they come extremely uneducated about these beautiful masterpieces. Tourists will drop their anchors on top of corals and drive their boats over corals, causing severe damage that will take the coral years and years to replenish. There are always new ways to enhance the lives of the

Now, this is a never-ending problem. A few examples are the very tall skyscrapers along the Sunshine Coast and also near the Great Barrier Reef. The ever-growing tourism industry also means golden opportunities for locals and international brands. The skyscrapers on the shoreline at Sunshine Coast has led to enormous crowds in the morning and a no-mans-land in the evening. Construction near the Great Barrier Reef can cause pollution, which leads to climate change and then slowly but surely results in mass coral bleaching. And as I am sure you are aware scientists believe that 93% of the Great Barrier Reef has already been

Coral reef ecosystems around the globe are threatened by human interferences and climate change. This has led to many scientists conducting studies on global coral reef ecosystems to gain a better understanding of the cause and effects of coral reef damage. In both Hodgson’s (1999) and Carpenter et al.’s (2008) studies, they are aware of the continuous degradation of global coral reef ecosystems. Hodgson's study involved conducting a survey on global coral reef ecosystems to see whether human actions were affecting the health of supposed pristine Coral reefs. Carpenter et al. incorporated Hodgson’s study into a compiled study about the possible extinction of reef building corals due to climate change and anthropogenic effects. Carpenter’s

Overfishing, tourism, abnormal fishing methods, pollution are the main causes of human origin that is responsible for the reefs deterioration. For example, the dumping of industrial wastes and waste oil dumping is causing massive harm to the coral reefs, which need fresh water for its

Broken and abraded coral has been clearly injured and or killed. However this abraded coral is less resistant to diseases and will have slower reproduction and growth due to redirected energy.24 Originally studies focused on coral breakages, however more recent studies have found that just the re-suspension of sediment can affect the health of reef. The removal of sediment from the coral surface results in the redirection of energy and makes the coral more vulnerable to disease.33 The study of this is more difficult and less reliable as weather has a huge impact on sediment suspension. Observations by Barker and Roberts accounted for sediment re-suspension, but the extent of damage caused to the coral was not

Coral reefs provide important habitats that numerous marine animals rely on for survival. These habitats are constantly under pressure and threatened indirectly or directly by human activities. So many of the world’s corals have been killed or severely damaged by numerous factors such as increased CO2 emissions, global climate change, agricultural runoff, overfishing, and improper tourist activities. However, if we change our habits now, we can prevent further coral loss and protect what we have

Although it is impossible to manage the safety of coral reefs everywhere, the cleaner the ecosystem around the reefs are, the healthier and less endangered the reefs. With the help and effort from people and organizations worldwide, coral reefs can be kept clean and safe. If no one steps up and cares for the balance and biodiversity of the world's waters, then all

The deterioration of coral reefs is mainly linked to human activities – 88% of coral reefs are threatened through various reasons as

Despite coral reefs covering less than .2% of the ocean’s area, they support 25% of the marine fish species. The reefs also provide 25% of the fish caught in developing countries as well as employ millions of fishermen to get the job done (Reaser 1502). Although coral reefs may not support everyone directly, they support surrounding countries. In the Maldives, tourism revenues amount for 45% of their gross national product. In the Caribbean, $89 billion was raised in 1990. Florida’s reefs bring in $1.6 billion every year (Reaser 1502). The Great Barrier Reef in Australia brings in $1.5 billion annually (Munday 263). Unfortunately, the coral reef tourist industry will lose money where coral reefs are affected. Coral reefs protect ocean shores as well as reduce storm damage, erosion, and flooding due to intense waves. Over time, reefs have formed lagoons and calm shore lines that provide a habitat for numerous species (Reaser 1502). Because of the strong dependence on coral reefs by humans and nonhumans, awareness of their danger should be raised! Shoreline erosion will increase because corals won’t be strong enough to withstand intense waves due to lack of skeletal growth. Our shorelines will be dirtier and less safe without reefs to protect humans and nonhumans from intense waves which may cause destruction (Reaser 1502).

Human activities along the coastal region have some to a negative effect on the living coral reefs. As indicated in the above

First, the ocean pollution has negative effects on tourism. The tourism is an important part of the economy. In some countries and cities, the tourism is the pillar industry and the main source of income. However, the ocean pollution makes some cities lost a large number of visitors. For example, ocean pollution acidifies the sea, and the acidified sea water is killing the corals. The Great Barrier Reef is the famous scenic spot in the Australia, it has disappeared in half until 2012, and all coral reef will disappear in the future. “Acidification of ocean waters is predicted to have dire consequences for calcifying organisms in the world’s ocean during this century. Coral and coralline algal communities and the reef structures that they build are expected to be particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification” (Mcleod, 2013, p20). According to the article, the coral will be easily destroyed by the ocean acidification, and the coral reefs play an important role in tourism and it has a